Blackberry and apple oaty flapjacks recipe

Kick start your day with these tasty blackberry and apple oaty flapjacks. The apples will give you a great energy boost while the oats will keep you full till lunch - the kids will love the sweet caramel taste! These flapjacks are so easy to make and take only 45 mins in total. You can whip up 12 standard size flapjack squares using this recipe. The tangy blackberries and the soft, sweet apple make a mouth-watering combination. It's a great way of using up the glut of fruit you might have during the winter months.

Ingredients

• 300g (10oz) eating apples, peeled, cored and diced
• 397g can ready-made caramel e.g. Carnation Caramel
• 200g (7oz) porridge oats
• 2tsp cinnamon (optional)
• 300g (11oz) fresh or frozen forest fruits

For the crumbly topping:

• 55g (2oz) porridge oats
• 15g (½oz) butter, finely cubed
• 55g (2oz) toasted flaked almonds

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F, gas mark 4).
2. Tip the apple into a saucepan with 6tbsp of water, cover with a lid and cook until soft (about 5-6 mins). Drain the excess water and puree in a blender or mash with a potato masher.
3. Tip 200g (7oz) of the oats and the cinnamon into a large bowl and add the cooked apple and two-thirds of the caramel. Mix well.
4. For the base: spread two-thirds of the oat mixture onto the base of the tin and push into the corners with the back of a spoon for a completely smooth layer.
5. Tumble the berries on top of the base. Beat the caramel in the can then drizzle over the berries.
6. Make a crumbly topping: add 55g (2oz) oats to the remaining mixture in the bowl and mix well. Using your fingers rub in the butter (it gets a little messy!). Add the almonds and stir together.
7. Dot the final oat mixture over the berries and press down slightly to stick all the layers together. Bake for 25-30 mins until golden brown. Leave to cool completely before cutting into squares. Enjoy with a blob of Greek yogurt or clotted cream.